A person has died following a stabbing in a building housing a London council headquarters and a library.
Emergency services were called to Brent Civic Centre in Wembley, north-west London – the home of Brent Council – on Tuesday at 2.25pm.
Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt said some staff, residents and visitors witnessed the fatal attack.
The victim was treated but pronounced dead at the scene.
The civic centre was evacuated and has been closed down until further notice.
Mr Butt urged people to stay away from the area, saying: “Today, Brent has been shaken by an appalling and deeply tragic incident at the civic centre, in which a person has lost their life.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, their family and loved ones, as well as the staff, residents and visitors who witnessed what happened.
“The civic centre has been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice. I would urge people to avoid the area and allow the police and emergency services to carry out their work.
“There is an active police investigation under way – please do not speculate or repeat any unverified claims online.”
There had been a “swift response” from the emergency services to the incident and council officials are now “working closely” with the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Butt said council staff had also shown “professionalism, compassion and calm” in dealing with the “most difficult of circumstances”.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 2.25pm today to reports of a stabbing at Brent Civic Centre, Wembley, HA9.
“We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a patient was pronounced dead at the scene”.
A statement later appeared on the council website saying: “The Brent Civic Centre and Wembley Library are currently closed due to an ongoing incident.
“Please avoid visiting the building at this time. We’ll share updates as soon as we can.”
More to follow...